SATENA Baggage Policy Carry-On and Checked Bag Rules
SATENA (Servicio Aéreo a Territorios Nacionales) operates regional scheduled flights connecting major Colombian hubs with remote destinations across the country. Because the airline flies turboprop aircraft like the ATR-42 and ATR-72, cabin storage and hold cargo weight are strictly managed. Understanding the SATENA baggage policy before you reach the airport prevents unexpected repacking or excess luggage charges.
SATENA permits passengers one personal item and one carry-on bag weighing up to 5 kg (11 lbs) measuring at most 43 x 34 x 20 cm. Standard tickets include one checked bag up to 15 kg (33 lbs), though select remote routes restrict checked weight to 10 kg (22 lbs). Excess weight is billed per kilogram in Colombian Pesos (COP) plus tax, subject strictly to aircraft cargo payload limits.
Baggage Allowance Snapshot
SATENA limits carry-on luggage to 5 kg and standard checked luggage to 15 kg on domestic routes. Certain payload-restricted runways reduce checked allowances to 10 kg.
What can change: Ticket fare family (promotional vs. full fare), runway length at remote destinations, and total flight payload restrictions.
Baggage Size Visual
Use the airline's stated order of dimensions. Measurements should account for outer hardware including handles and wheels.
Personal Item
Published limit: Must fit beneath the forward seat
All ticket types and domestic routes
Carry-On Bag
Published limit: 43 x 34 x 20 cm, up to 5 kg (11 lbs)
ATR-42 and ATR-72 regional fleet
Standard Checked Bag
Published limit: 15 kg (33 lbs) standard / 10 kg (22 lbs) remote
Included on standard adult domestic tickets
Visual guide - not to scale. Use the published numerical limit as the controlling rule.
Official Source Verification
Baggage rules can vary by fare, cabin, route, operating carrier, traveler status, and purchase channel. BaggageBase separates published rules from practical guidance.
How BaggageBase Checks This Information
BaggageBase monitors SATENA baggage policies by reviewing published tariffs, official conditions of carriage, and regional operational bulletins issued for remote Colombian airports. We verify size and weight limits against the physical capacity of SATENA's primary fleet, specifically ATR turboprop aircraft.
Per-kilogram excess rates, airport counter fees, and temporary payload cuts on social routes (destinos sociales) change periodically based on aviation fuel costs, local taxes, and seasonal weather patterns. Where specific per-kilogram prices vary by route tier, we point travelers to direct verification points.
SATENA Carry-On Baggage Rules
SATENA enforces a cabin baggage limit that is stricter than most trunk airlines. Passengers may bring one carry-on item with a maximum weight of 5 kg (11 lbs). Outer dimensions cannot exceed 43 x 34 x 20 cm (approximately 17 x 13.5 x 8 inches).
The overhead bins on regional turboprops, such as the ATR-42 and ATR-72, are significantly shallower and narrower than storage bins on Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 aircraft. Standard 22-inch rollaboard suitcases will not fit inside these overhead compartments. Airport agents routinely place carry-on luggage on scales at the check-in desk or boarding gate.
Compare how these regional cabin restrictions differ from mainline carriers in our airline carry-on size comparison.
| Item | Allowance | Size or fit rule | Important condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-On Bag | 1 piece | 43 x 34 x 20 cm (17 x 13.5 x 8 in) | Max weight 5 kg (11 lbs); strictly weighed at counter |
If your carry-on exceeds 5 kg or does not fit in the sizing frame, the airline requires it to be checked into the cargo hold. When your total checked weight then surpasses your fare's free allowance, excess baggage charges apply.
Personal Item Rules and Under-Seat Storage
In addition to the 5 kg carry-on bag, SATENA allows passengers to carry one small personal item free of charge. Accepted items include:
- A small handbag or purse
- A compact daypack or small backpack
- A slim laptop bag or sleeve
- A small camera pouch
Your personal item must fit entirely beneath the seat in front of you. It cannot block the aisle or project into your legroom. Passengers seated in emergency exit rows are not permitted to keep personal items on the floor; they must place all bags into an overhead bin for taxi, takeoff, and landing.
While SATENA does not publish an exact weight limit for personal items, the bag must be light enough for you to manage independently and compact enough to clear the under-seat life-vest container.
Checked Baggage Allowances by Fare and Route
Checked baggage allowances on SATENA depend primarily on your destination and your purchased fare brand. Standard adult fares include checked luggage, but the allowable weight changes on sensitive routes.
Standard Domestic Routes
On most standard domestic routes (such as flights connecting Bogotá, Medellín-Olaya Herrera, Cali, or Villavicencio with intermediate cities), the included allowance is one piece up to 15 kg (33 lbs). The total linear dimensions ($L + W + H$) must fall between 115 cm and 158 cm (45 to 62 linear inches).
Restricted and Remote Airfields
SATENA operates as a public service carrier to isolated regions across the Amazon, Orinoquía, and Pacific coastlines. Several remote airstrips feature short runways or high ambient temperatures that limit total aircraft takeoff weight. On these specific routes, SATENA reduces the free checked baggage allowance to 10 kg (22 lbs) per traveler.
Promotional Fare Tiers
SATENA periodically offers promotional or basic branded fares that do not include hold luggage. If you hold a basic fare ticket, you must pay an ancillary fee to add a 15 kg bag before or during airport check-in.
| Fare Scope or Route Type | Free Hold Allowance | Weight Cap | Dimensions Cap | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Domestic Fare | 1 piece | 15 kg (33 lbs) | 115–158 linear cm | Included with standard adult fares |
| Restricted Remote Route | 1 piece | 10 kg (22 lbs) | 115–158 linear cm | Enforced on short-runway destinations |
| Promotional / Basic Fare | 0 pieces | 15 kg (33 lbs) | 115–158 linear cm | Hold bag must be purchased as an add-on |
Excess, Overweight, and Additional Baggage Fees
SATENA structures excess baggage charges on a per-kilogram basis rather than charging a flat fee for an entire suitcase.
If your checked bag exceeds the 15 kg threshold (or the 10 kg limit on restricted airfields), you will pay a per-kilogram rate in Colombian Pesos (COP) for every additional kilo, plus Colombia's standard 19% sales tax (IVA). Per-kilogram pricing varies by route distance and classification, divided between trunk routes, intermediate regional routes, and specialized social routes.
For insight on how per-kilo and extra-piece fees operate internationally, review the checked baggage fee comparison.
| Condition | Threshold | Additional fee | Acceptance limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overweight Checked Bag | Over 15 kg (or over 10 kg on remote routes) | Billed per excess kg in COP (+ IVA) | Subject to daily flight payload capacity |
| Additional Checked Piece | Any piece beyond ticket allowance | Billed per excess kg or flat segment fee | Loaded only if hold capacity permits |
Excess weight is accepted strictly on a standby basis. If a flight is payload-restricted due to weather, fuel requirements, or passenger numbers, the airline will carry standard ticketed baggage first. Any excess weight or additional suitcases may be held and dispatched on the next available flight.
All excess baggage fees must be paid directly at the airport ticket office or check-in desk prior to boarding. Payment can be made with Colombian Pesos in cash or by major credit and debit cards.
Fleet Limitations and Connecting Flight Risks
The primary cause of baggage issues on SATENA involves passengers connecting from long-haul international flights. Mainline international airlines routinely grant passengers an allowance of 23 kg (50 lbs) per checked bag and 10 kg (22 lbs) for carry-on luggage.
These international baggage allowances do not transfer to SATENA flights.
If you fly into Bogotá (El Dorado - BOG), Cali (Alfonso Bonilla Aragón - CLO), or Medellín (José María Córdova - MDE) on an international carrier and connect to a separate SATENA flight, you must conform to SATENA's limits:
- Your 10 kg cabin rollaboard will fail gate checks: The ATR overhead bins cannot accommodate hard-shell 22-inch rollaboards, and any cabin bag over 5 kg will be rejected.
- Your 23 kg checked suitcase will incur excess fees: You will be billed for at least 8 kg of overweight luggage (the difference between 23 kg and 15 kg) at the Colombian Peso per-kilo rate, assuming the aircraft has space to take it.
- Airport transfers require repacking: If connecting through Medellín, remember that SATENA often flies out of the downtown Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH), requiring a ground transfer from José María Córdova International Airport (MDE).
If your journey begins abroad, check the international carry-on size guide to prepare for cabin luggage transitions across different carriers.
Special Items, Infant Allowances, and Sports Equipment
SATENA accommodates specialized equipment within the physical boundaries of its regional cargo doors.
Traveling with Infants
Children under two years of age flying as lap infants do not have a dedicated checked baggage weight allowance. However, SATENA allows parents to check one compact, fully collapsible stroller or baby basket free of charge. The stroller can be delivered at the aircraft boarding steps and retrieved upon arrival on the tarmac.
Sports Equipment and Musical Instruments
Surfboards, diving gear, bicycles, and large musical instruments (such as guitars or cellos) are accepted only as checked cargo. These items must be securely packed in durable hard cases.
- Weight calculations: Specialized gear is either weighed as part of your total baggage allowance or charged under a specific flat sporting equipment tariff in COP.
- Size constraints: Bulky items exceeding regional cargo door clearances cannot be transported. Bicycles must have handlebars turned parallel, pedals removed, and tire pressure deflated.
- Advance notice: You should notify SATENA at the time of reservation if you intend to travel with sports gear, as regional aircraft hold space is limited.
Medical Equipment and Wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs, crutches, and essential personal mobility equipment are transported free of charge and do not count toward your ticketed weight limit. If you travel with an electric wheelchair, you must verify battery specifications with the airline prior to travel, as certain wet-cell batteries cannot be transported on regional aircraft.
Gate-Check Procedures and Offloaded Bags
When a flight reaches passenger capacity, gate agents closely monitor cabin bags. If an overhead bin fills up or your bag is visibly bulkier than the 43 x 34 x 20 cm allowance, an agent will tag your bag for hold loading at the boarding gate.
On regional turboprop routes, weight balance is critical for flight safety. In cases of severe weather, short runways, or high temperatures, the flight dispatcher may determine that the aircraft cannot safely take off at maximum gross weight. When this occurs, SATENA offloads cargo and excess luggage before offloading standard passenger bags. If your excess luggage cannot travel on your flight, the airline will deliver it on the next flight that has available payload margin.
SATENA Luggage Preparation Checklist
Follow these steps before departing for a domestic flight with SATENA in Colombia.
- Weigh your carry-on luggage at home. Ensure your cabin bag weighs no more than 5 kg (11 lbs) to avoid forced gate checking.
- Pack in soft-sided duffel bags. Flexible duffels squeeze into ATR overhead compartments and tight cargo holds much more easily than rigid suitcases.
- Verify your destination's runway status. Check if your destination is a restricted remote airfield that limits checked bags to 10 kg instead of 15 kg.
- Split 23 kg international luggage. Repack belongings into smaller bags or arrange airport luggage storage in Bogotá or Medellín if connecting from overseas.
- Keep local currency on hand. Carry Colombian Pesos or an unlocked payment card to cover per-kilo excess fees at airport service counters.
- Arrive at least two hours early. Regional airport check-in desks close luggage drop desks 45 to 60 minutes before departure and require time to process excess weigh-ins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the carry-on weight limit on SATENA?
SATENA limits carry-on luggage to one piece weighing a maximum of 5 kg (11 lbs). The bag cannot exceed dimensions of 43 x 34 x 20 cm.
How much checked baggage is included with a SATENA ticket?
Standard domestic adult tickets include one checked bag weighing up to 15 kg (33 lbs). However, select remote destinations reduce this allowance to 10 kg (22 lbs), and basic promotional fares may exclude hold luggage entirely.
Can I bring a standard 23 kg international suitcase on SATENA?
You cannot bring a 23 kg suitcase under the standard free allowance. Any weight above 15 kg (or 10 kg on restricted routes) is billed as excess weight per kilogram in Colombian Pesos, subject to aircraft cargo space.
Will a 22-inch rollaboard fit in the overhead bin on SATENA?
A standard 22-inch rollaboard suitcase will not fit in the overhead bins of SATENA's ATR turboprop aircraft. Cabin bags exceeding 43 x 34 x 20 cm must be checked at the desk or gate.
How does SATENA calculate excess baggage fees?
Overweight luggage is calculated on a per-kilogram basis in Colombian Pesos plus local IVA tax. Rates depend on the route distance and are payable at the airport check-in desk.
Can I check a baby stroller for free on SATENA?
Yes, parents traveling with an infant can check one collapsible stroller or baby carrier free of charge at the check-in desk or boarding gate.
What happens if the flight is too heavy for my extra bags?
If an aircraft reaches its maximum operating payload limit, excess or non-standard bags are offloaded and forwarded on the next scheduled flight with available cargo space.
Summary
SATENA's luggage rules are defined by the operational realities of regional flying. With standard allowances capped at 5 kg for cabin items and 15 kg (or 10 kg) for checked baggage, traveling light is essential. Mainline international luggage standards do not apply on these domestic regional services.
Before you travel, confirm your ticketed fare class on your booking receipt and check whether your arrival airport has remote runway weight restrictions. Weigh all bags prior to airport arrival, prepare for per-kilogram fees if you travel with heavy gear, and carry soft luggage whenever possible.
Airline baggage rules and fees can change by route, fare, cabin, operating carrier, traveler status, purchase channel, and departure date. Check the airline's official baggage policy or calculator before booking, paying, or traveling. BaggageBase reviews information for 2026 where possible, but the airline's published terms remain the final authority.
